Since 12 March 2020, ideas into energy gGmbH together with a civic association Cycling Coalition, in cooperation with the Slovak Ministry of Transport (MDV SR), has been gathering feedback on financing instruments for cycling infrastructure development. The aim of the survey submitted to dozens of Slovak municipalities and self-governing regions is to evaluate the setting of the current funding system for the deployment of cycling transport in the country. The activity also gained the National Cycling Coordinator’s support of Peter Klučka.

In addition to the direct data use by the Ministry of Transport for its upcoming calls, the feedback received will be also utilised for its further distribution to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MPRV SR; as an authority managing the Integrated Regional Operational Programme), as well as used within the project to develop an online platform for the financing of cycling-friendly measures.

Regarding the online platform, the Cyclurban+ project is aiming to provide an overview of national and EU schemes on funding cycling infrastructure in the case of both implementing countries. This time, the online platform on how to fund cycling infrastructure will be intended for Slovak municipalities and regions leading to the better utilisation of existing financial support schemes at the local and regional level when developing and upgrading cycling infrastructure. The problem is that Slovak municipalities are often not familiar with the existing funding possibilities and no one-stop-shop for such projects exists; that is why Cyclurban+ had to step in.

At the moment, the municipalities and regions are being asked questions related to their capacities for developing sustainable mobility projects as well as their past direct and also general experience with funding. Furthermore, their future expectations and suggestions concerning the incentive schemes are being collected.

Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, an original deadline of the survey was postponed and the input will be collected until 3 April 2020. Subsequently, it will be thoroughly evaluated and used for further discussions with stakeholders. Additionally, the feedback will be provided to the Slovak ministries which govern the relevant financing schemes so that they could adapt them accordingly. Except for the mentioned platform, the data input will be presented at the main country’s workshop, too.